UTAR inks MoU with YBBM for collaborative research on Malaysian Buddhism

Prof Ewe (left) and Dato’ Ir Ang (right) with the signed document

UTAR and Yayasan Belia Buddhist Malaysia (YBBM) signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to carry out collaborative research on Malaysian Buddhism. The MoU was signed by UTAR President Ir Prof Dr Ewe Hong Tat and YBBM Chairman Dato’ Ir Ang Choo Hong in the presence of UTAR Vice President for Internationalisation and Academic Development Ir Prof Dr Yow Ho Kwang and YBBM Director Teh Lai Tien.

Under the MoU, YBBM will allocate a fund amounting to RM150,000 over a three-year period for UTAR’s researchers to carry out the research projects. The identified scopes of the research projects are social research on contemporary issues and research on contemporary Buddhist movement. Aside from that, YBBM will provide an incentive grant of RM1,000 to undergraduate students who are doing their final year project on the subject of Malaysian Buddhism. UTAR and YBBM will also work together to carry out community service and organise academic seminar related to Malaysian Buddhism.

Prof Ewe expressed, “This initiative will eventually create more possible research collaborations between both parties with the hope to respond to the academic and community needs. Moreover, I also believe that the outcome from the research initiatives will play a vital role in future policies making and eventually lead to society's betterment. This MoU will promote mutual understanding and cooperation which will lead to more interesting and mutually beneficial outcomes.”

Dato’ Ang in his speech said, “Yayasan Belia Buddhist Malaysia, as an NGO devoted to the mission of development of Malaysian Buddhism, would like to see more research and study done on Malaysian Buddhism, particularly on areas that lacked attention and focus in the past, and areas that we deem more relevant to our present needs. We believe that the results of these research and studies would help us formulate strategies for the development of Malaysian Buddhism, as well as leading the way for future research and study.”